Yonhap News Summary

The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate to 3 percent for the second consecutive meeting on Thursday. The move aims to combat mounting inflationary pressures. This is the highest rate since January 2025.

Nine South Koreans remain missing in Nepal after massive flooding. The government has announced plans to dispatch a joint rapid response team to Nepal to assist in search and rescue efforts. The missing individuals include six employees from plant builder Doosan Enerbility Co. and three workers from Korea South-East Power Co., a state-run power generation company, who were working on a hydropower project in Nepal's Rasuwa district when the flooding occurred.

President Lee Jae Myung plans to meet with mayors, county and district office heads from across the country on Thursday. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss cooperation and growth strategies led by regional areas. The luncheon hosted by the presidential office will include over 180 participants, such as newly elected officials and government officials like Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.